Pakenham Cup: Apprentice Fred Kersley pays price for celebrations upset win on Etah James

Fred Kersley ticked off his first black-type success but copped a fine and a six-meeting suspension after taking out the $300,000 Pakenham Cup on a $71 outsider.

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Fred Kersley ticked off his first black-type success but copped a fine and a six-meeting suspension after taking out the listed $300,000 Pakenham Cup on $71 outsider Etah James.

The 20-year-old apprentice produced a stunning victory salute 50 metres before the winning post on Saturday as he rose in his irons, which drew the ire of the stewards.

Kersley was handed a $750 fine for his celebration and a six-meeting ban for excessive whip use, an enforced break that will start after the Flemington twilight meeting on December 14.

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Jockey Fred Kersley was fined for his early salute on Etah James in the Pakenham Cup. Picture: AAP

But not even that penalty could wipe the smile off his face after he perfectly executed a pre-race plan to make the 2500m race a true staying test by putting early pressure on the leader Runaway, before holding on against the fast-finishing $2.20 favourite Secret Blaze.

“I am a tall lad, I don't think I got that high, but I have got long legs,” Kersley joked about his early salute as he gave the Matt Cumani-trained mare her first win in 20 months.

Etah James claims the 2019 Pakenham Cup in emphatic fashion with @FKERSLEY posing for the photo. pic.twitter.com/p9Nqvhnjaq

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 7, 2019

“It is my biggest achievement, I have never won a black type or listed (race), so it means a lot to me. I had a bit of confidence coming into this. I thought I had to make it a true (staying) test. It was an easy steer for me today, the horse was rock-hard fit.”

Cumani was in Goulburn in NSW and nursing “a big hangover” after attending his brother-in-law’s wedding. But he spoke with Kersley on the phone before the race and agreed with the jockey’s plans. The pair had earlier combined with a winner with Future Score in Race 5.

Cumani's assistant trainer Andrew Bobbin said the stable supported Kersley's plan on Saturday, saying they knew the seven-year-old mare would relish it.

“I hate to give Fred too many compliments because he is a cocky little bugger, but before the race he said: ‘I am going to make a real race of it’.

“(Etah James) was good at Sandown (when fourth to Azuro in the Sandown Cup). She is one of those horses who you think is gone and she will just come again.

Jockey Fred Kersley enjoys the spoils of victory after riding Etrah James to an upset win in the Pakenham Cup. Picture: AAP

“She gave a great kick at the 200m (Saturday) and again at the 100m.”

Bobbin said Etah James — who has now won seven of her 26 starts and more than $450,000 in prizemoney — would be aimed for the Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year's Day.

But he hasn't ruled out an even bigger trip in the future.

“That's our Bagot horse, she might need another run before then,” he said. “She might even find herself in a Jericho (Cup over 4600m).

“She is a New Zealand-bred horse and she is by (stallion) Raise The Flag, and he ran one-two in that race last week.”

"Speaking to the boss on the way here, it gave me a fair bit of confidence".@FKERSLEY was confident Etah James was a chance in the Pakenham Cup. pic.twitter.com/Wp0c6Rntxj

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 7, 2019

ON THE PUNT

Oh dear, Odeon

Simon Zahra’s frustration with talented but enigmatic galloper Odeon went to a new level at Pakenham after another near miss took his run of outs to 760 days.

Earlier on RSN 927, Zahra had joked he might “sack” the six-year-old if he didn’t make it back to the winner’s stall in what was an easier race than he is used to contesting.

But it was no laughing matter when Odeon ($2.90 favourite) looked to have the race in his keeping before $17 chance Future Score nailed him right on the line.

“The way he went around first-up, he should have won that race,” Zahra said of Odeon. “As soon as the pressure goes on and it turns into a bit of a dogfight, he lays in. He’s done that all his life.

“It’s just frustrating because you run fifth at weight-for-age level first up, beaten a length and the third horse (Hey Doc) comes out and wins a Group 1 race and then we can’t win at Pakenham on a Saturday.”

But he insisted he won’t sack the horse just yet, saying he will go to the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day.

Future Score has won first up, beating well supported favourite Odeon on #PakenhamCup day. pic.twitter.com/24bXVmp5iA

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 7, 2019

■ The impressive strike rate of Cranbourne trainer Enver Jusufovic rolled on as his smart mare Neighbourhood made it back-to-back wins, storming home to salute in the Fulman Park Handicap. Neighbourhood has won three of her six starts, and Jusufovic is confident she can progress through the grades during the summer months.

“It’s a good result,” Jusufovic said, with the trainer now having four winners from his past six runners. “I think she will be genuine mare.”

■ A lack of suitable races could see Mike Moroney’s pint-sized three-year-old Star Surprise take on the older horses in the Group 3 Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

Star Surprise ($9.50) proved too strong for the $3.40 favourite That Girl to take out the opening race over 1000m at Pakenham.

Moroney has always had a big opinion of the $8000 buy, but will likely keep the gelding in Melbourne instead of the 1400m Magic Millions race next month. “He has to race against older horses, maybe in the big sprint down the straight at Christmas,” he said.

“The Standish … that’s about the race for him.”

Star Surprise showed an electric turn of foot to win the first race on Pakenham Cup day. pic.twitter.com/XqHcv84om7

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 7, 2019

DID YOU SEE/HEAR?

Sad to hear of the passing of Don Howell, former Collingwood and St Kilda footballer and one-time managing part-owner of 2007 Cox Plate winner El Segundo. Howell, 84, played 29 games with the Saints from 1953 to 1955 before notching 17 with the Magpies in 1957-58.

But the popular member of the Vingt Cinq club gained plenty of attention later in life as an owner of El Segundo, a $140,000 purchase who went on to win a host of big races and almost $4 million before tendon injuries ended his career.

■ Nice droughtbreaker for the owners of Eureka Street, after the injury-plagued six-year-old won his first race in 831 days. The horse had almost two years off the scene with a tendon injury, but trainer Mick Kent has found a way to get him back into full fitness and form. “I was quite keen to get him to this track, as it always has a bit of give in it,” he said, adding Pakenham and Sandown were two of the best tracks in Victoria.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

That Girl: Don’t write her off, will be winning again soon.

Midas Prince: Aided by a great ride from Brett Prebble, but looks to have some more wins ahead.

Secret Blaze: Just got too far back but finished strongly.

Amadeus: Loves this meeting and wasn’t far off winning the Gold Bullion again.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

PAKENHAM

RACE ONE

Star Surprise defied a big betting drift to win the opening event on the card at Pakenham.

The Mike Moroney-trained runner was $5.50 in the morning and blew out to $10 at the jump. Most of the money was with That Girl ($2.40-$3.30) which blew significantly in the final 10 minutes of betting.

BETS: Ponga $1,000 @ $6.50, That Girl $2,375 @ $3.20, $2,250 @ $3.20

Eureka Street scored a solid win at Pakenham. Picture: AAP

RACE TWO

Eureka Street was pretty solid in the market for the Momentum Gaming BM70 Handicap (1600 metres). The gelding went around as the third most popular runner and was around the $5-$5.50 mark for most of the day. Write Your Name ($2.90-$4.40) blew out late but still held the most money while Cape Richards ($13-$6-$4.80-$5) was a big firmer after opening double figures on Wednesday.

BETS: Eureka Street $2,000 @ $5, $1,000 e/w @ $5/$2, $1,000 @ $5, Write Your Name $2,000 @ $3.40, Cape Richards $1,000 @ $5 TWICE, Honorable Mention $1,050 @ $17

RACE THREE

One of the best supported runners all day was Neighbourhood. Going around in the Fulmen Park F&M BM78 Handicap (1400 metres) as a very popular $2.40 favourite, Neighbourhood ($2.70-$2.40) held 58 per cent of the total investment on the race. The Enver Jusufovic-trained galloper was nearly five times as popular as the second most popular runner in Jentico ($4-$4.80).

BETS: Neighbourhood $5,000 @ $2.40 TWICE, $4,500 @ $2.40, $4,000 @ $2.40, $2,000 @ $2.40, $1,000 @ $2.40 MULTIPLE TIMES

RACE FOUR

Most of the money in this race was riding on Lynch Mob which was backed into favourite for the running of the Iron Jack Australian Lagers BM78 Handicap (2000 metres). Opening the day at $4.60, sheer weight of support saw it jump a $3.80 favourite after it displaced Midas Prince at the top of the market. Midas Prince was $4.20-$5 and the second most popular runner behind the fav. Annunciate ($6.50-$4.60) was a notable firmer after opening at $13 earlier in the week.

BETS: Midas Prince $1,000 @ $4.80, Lynch Mob $3,000 @ $3.60, $2,000 @ $3.60, $1,000 @ $3.60 MULTIPLE TIMES

RACE FIVE

Future Score was an upset winner of the Hanson Handicap (1600 metres). The Matt Cumani-trained runner didn’t have a great deal of support and went $13 to $16 but in fairness most of the field were drifters. Odeon was heavily backed and one of the more popular runners on the program. Going around as a $2.70 favourite, Odeon held a tick over half the total investment on the race. Thunder Cloud ($21-$14) trimmed up late.

BETS: Odeon $15,000 @ $2.90, $5,000 @ $2.70, Al Passem $1,000 @ $10

Future Score edges out the favourite Odeon in a tight finish. Picture: AAP

RACE SIX

Each way punters were cheering after Snitzkraft proved superior in the Schweppes David Bourke Memorial Handicap (1200 metres). TAB had the Phillip Stokes runner down as an $8.50 chance this morning after $10 was offered earlier in the week. Good money throughout the day saw him backed into $5. Such was the support for the five-year-old that he held more money than anything else. Oberland ($11-$4.80) was the subject of strong money throughout the day and as a result he was a big firmer.

BETS: Snitzkraft $1,000 @ $6.50, $750 e/w @ $5/$1.85, $1,500 e/w @ $4.60/$1.75, Oberland $2,000 @ $5.50 TWICE, More Than Exceed $1,500 @ $4.60

RACE SEVEN

The Matt Cumani-trained Etah James caused a big upset in the Pakenham Cup (2500 metres). Opening the day as a $34 shot, she drifted out to $71 at the jump with only Serenade The Stars and Rakau Whero going around at bigger prices. Secret Blaze ($2.20) was a sustained go after opening $3.50 on Wednesday while there was a move in the morning for Chapada ($6-$4.60-$5.50) who got back out late.

BETS: Chapada $2,000 @ $5, $2,000 x $3,000 e/w @ $5/$1.85, $1,000 @ $4.60, Secret Blaze $1,500 @ $2.40, $4,500 @ $2.25, $1,500 @ $2.25, $1,000 @ $2.25, $2,000 @ $2.20

RACE EIGHT

Favourite backers were cheering when Yulong January led throughout in the Racing.com VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400 metres). Yulong January went around as the second best supported runner in terms of money held but was the $3.80 favourite. Only Widgee Turf ($4) held more money. Galaxy Raider ($10-$7) was a serious firm up late while Ruban Bleu ($7-$9.50) attracted each way money after being $13 on Wednesday.

BETS: Yulong January $1,500 @ $3.90, $1,000 @ $3.90, $1,000 @ $3.70, $1,000 e/w @ $3.60/$1.65, $1,000 @ $3.60, Galaxy Raider $5,500 x $5,250 e/w @ $10/$3.20, $2,500 @ $10, Widgee Turf $2,000 @ $4, $1,250 e/w @ $4/$1.70, $1,070 @ $4

RACE NINE

The big move for Vainstream paid dividends in the final event on the card from Pakenham. Opening at $26 on Wednesday, $21 was still available this morning but constant each way backing throughout the day saw it crunched into $7! Propelle was a noted drifter, going $3.40-$5.50. Other firmers of note in the race included Wise Hero ($8.50-$5.50) and Our Gladiator ($6-$4.20).

BETS: Vainstream $300 x $200 e/w @ $21/$6, $200 x $300 e/w @ $17/$4.80, $500 @ $7.50

Originally published as Pakenham Cup: Apprentice Fred Kersley pays price for celebrations upset win on Etah James